SOAP BOX

Power Rangers first aired in the United States 21 years ago with the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Haim Saban of Saban Brands would take footage from the original Japanese Zyuranger series and threw in American actors to create a whole new storyline for its soon to be growing US audience. To me, martial arts, monsters and giant robots is a recipe for an instant winner. That was what initially drew me in when I first started watching the series when I was 6 years old. 21 years later and I'm spending my 27th Birthday at Power Morphicon in Pasadena. Yup, a convention for all things Power Rangers.

Had to take a photo op with the official Power Morphicon 2014 Banner.

This convention only happens every 2 years with this being their 3rd convention. There is everything you can expect from a convention like this, toys, exclusives, cosplayers and even panels. One of the biggest attractions this year was having both the original Red Rangers attending the event, Austin St. John aka Jason from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Yūta Mochizuki aka Geki from the Japanese Zyuranger series.

I had a lot of these when I was a kid. If you know me, you know I still love me some toys!

I am sure a lot of practice went into these poses.

Even this Shiba got into the Gokaiger sprit.

For those not sure what's going on right now in the Power Rangers universe, the current series is Power Rangers Super Megaforce, which is the US version of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger. The theme for this series are Pirates who can transform into any of the past Power Rangers, which by far is probably the coolest series. You will see fight scenes where everyone is a red ranger or even 1 ranger from 5 different series. In some episodes cameos of the older Rangers will show up, granting them their powers. The Japanese series is way better than the American if you were thinking about looking into it. There is usually a year gap in between the Japanese series and the American series. So when I worked for Saban Brands, I remember being in conference call where they talked about the premise for the new Power Rangers Super Megaforce and I just shook my head the whole time. Not only were they using the same cast from the previous season, but their new suits and zords aren't acknowledged as being pirate related.

By far my favorite cosplay at the convention. Zordon + Alpha 5

This guy grew his hair to cosplay as Tommy from Zeo Rangers. That's what I call dedication.

Andre Meadows of Black Nerd Comedy live casting the whole event. He does some of my favorite reviews on his Youtube channel, whether it be cartoons, movies, or any geeky news out there.

Of course we had to geek out with some photo ops.

Some more into it than others.

BONUS: While we were in Pasadena, we took a short drive over to Gallery Nucleusto check out the Steven Universe / Adventure Time art show. I'm not so into Steven Universe, so all of my photos are from the AT half of the gallery.

Mimi Yoon - Find Finn and Jake

Richard Koslowski - Bouncy Jake!

K.C. Corbett - Jake's Perfect Sandwich

Andy Garner-Flexner - The Pups

All the things you need to have a fun filled 27th Birthday include: Girlfriend, Power Rangers, Toys, Art Exhibit featuring one of your favorite cartoons, and Hainan Chicken from Savoy Kitchen. And if you thought Zach Norris was the resident nerd, I may have him beat.